Jr. Crispy Chicken Tacos Recipe
Make Jr. Crispy Chicken Tacos Recipe in just 40m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Crispy Chicken
Taco Assembly
Quick Taco Sauce
Method
Crispy Chicken
Prepare chicken
If using chicken breasts, slice each into 8–10 thin strips about 1/2 inch wide so pieces are kid-sized. Pat strips dry with paper towels.
Marinate briefly
Place chicken strips in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Let sit 10–15 minutes while you set up the breading station. (This tenderizes and helps breading stick.)
Set up breading station
In one shallow dish whisk the egg. In a second dish combine flour, cornstarch, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder and onion powder; mix well.
Dredge chicken
Working in batches, remove a strip from the buttermilk, let excess drip off, dip into the egg, then press into the flour-breadcrumb mixture so each piece is evenly coated. Shake off excess.
Heat oil
Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet to reach about 1/4-inch depth. Heat over medium-high until oil registers 350°F (175°C) or a breadcrumb sizzles and browns quickly when tested.
Fry chicken
Fry chicken strips in batches without crowding the pan, 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C for thicker pieces). Adjust heat so coating browns but doesn’t burn. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
Keep warm
Place finished strips on a baking sheet in a 200°F (95°C) oven to keep warm while you fry remaining batches.
Quick Taco Sauce
Combine mayonnaise, sour cream (or yogurt), lime juice, hot sauce, ground cumin and salt in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and taste; adjust lime or hot sauce to preference. Refrigerate until ready to assemble.
Taco Assembly
Assemble tacos: spread about 1 teaspoon of taco sauce on each warm tortilla, place 1–2 crispy chicken strips (depending on size) on top, then add shredded lettuce, a sprinkle of cheese, diced tomato and a few pickled jalapeño slices if using.
Serve: fold tacos and serve immediately so chicken stays crisp. Provide extra sauce on the side for dipping.